A wheel rolled away during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway, but that was not the only thing that got attention. Two members of Rick Ware Racing were suspended. But some people are now asking questions that go beyond one team. Not every car involved in controversy faced the same penalty. One well-known driver was not punished at all. As the season continues, many are now looking closely at how the rules are used—and who they affect most.
Key Highlights
Two Rick Ware Racing crew members suspended for two races after Sonoma incident
The right-rear wheel of the No. 51 detached during green-flag racing
Cody Ware penalized two laps mid-race; finished 34th
Violated NASCAR rule 8.8.10.4.C regarding wheel security
Marquill Osborne and De’Quan Hampton eligible to return at Iowa (Aug 3)
What Happened at Sonoma
During the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in July 2025, the No. 51 car, driven by Cody Ware, lost its right-rear wheel shortly after a routine green-flag pit stop. The incident unfolded late in the race and resulted in the wheel careening across the grass and race track. While it did not cause a crash or injury, the situation immediately triggered safety concerns. NASCAR responded in real-time by issuing a two-lap penalty to the No. 51, effectively ending its hopes for a top-30 finish. Ware eventually finished 34th, two laps behind the leader.
This was not the first time such an incident had drawn disciplinary action, but the timing and visibility of the event prompted swift enforcement of NASCAR’s safety rulebook.
Rule Violation and Suspension Details
The crew’s error was classified under Section 8.8.10.4.C of the NASCAR Rule Book, which outlines strict requirements for tire and wheel security. NASCAR officials concluded the wheel had not been properly attached before Ware left pit road.
Two crew members were named in the suspension:
Marquill Osborne, the rear tire changer
De’Quan Hampton, the jackman
Both were handed two-race suspensions, which will sideline them for Dover Motor Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They will be eligible to return for the Iowa Speedway event on August 3, 2025.
The sudden absence of two core pit crew members comes during a critical point in the NASCAR Cup Series season. Rick Ware Racing has not yet named temporary replacements for Osborne and Hampton, though the team is expected to announce interim crew changes ahead of Friday’s first practice session at Dover.
NASCAR’s Safety Message
Loose wheels have always been treated with zero tolerance due to the high-risk nature of the infraction. Over the years, runaway tires have led to significant wrecks, damaged vehicles, and even injury. In this case, while no further accident occurred, NASCAR did not hesitate to apply the rulebook evenly.
This wasn’t the only enforcement action stemming from Sonoma weekend. While no other NASCAR Cup Series teams received post-race penalties, NASCAR confirmed that three Xfinity Series teams were each fined $5,000 for having one unsecured lug nut during post-race inspection.
The dual suspension issued to Osborne and Hampton is seen by many in the industry as a statement of intent—particularly because Rick Ware Racing is not a championship contender, proving that NASCAR’s commitment to safety applies universally.
Fan Reaction: Uneven Penalties Spark Fan Frustration
While NASCAR handed down a swift penalty to Rick Ware Racing, many fans pointed to inconsistency in how rules are enforced—especially when it comes to more prominent drivers.
“And Gibbs gets off scott free.”
“No penalty on the 54, I know the haters mad 😂😂.”
“So… the nepo baby got away again.”
Also Ty Gibbs tries to go bowling using pit crew guys as bowling pins and gets away with it.” – NASCAR FANS’ REACTION
Some fans compared incidents and questioned NASCAR’s reasoning across different cases:
“So Berry wrecks a guy on a road course and everything is just fine, but Cindric does it and he gets a 50 point penalty? I’m starting to think the only reason anyone gets a penalty is public outcry.” – a NASCAR FAN
The sentiment across the fanbase is clear: NASCAR’s penalty system is under scrutiny, and many believe enforcement varies depending on the driver involved.
Operational Impact on Rick Ware Racing
For a smaller team like Rick Ware Racing, losing two experienced pit crew members is more than a staffing issue—it’s a performance concern. Pit road timing, coordination, and efficiency are already pressure-filled components of race day. Bringing in substitutes, even temporarily, could lead to slower stops and greater risk of additional mistakes.
This event also adds to a difficult season for the No. 51 team. After managing solid finishes in early 2025 races, recent results have slipped, and the Sonoma penalty only magnified the pressure.
It remains to be seen whether the team will bring in crew members from other racing series, develop talent from within, or rely on emergency fill-ins with Cup-level experience. Regardless of the direction taken, expectations will be high for flawless execution—especially at a demanding track like Dover.
News in Brief: NASCAR’s Sonoma Penalties Controversy
Two Rick Ware Racing crew members have been suspended for two races following a serious wheel-loss incident during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series event at Sonoma Raceway. The right-rear tire of the No. 51 Ford, driven by Cody Ware, detached from the vehicle mid-race, prompting NASCAR to penalize the team and cite a violation of its strict wheel safety rule. Rear tire changer Marquill Osborne and jackman De’Quan Hampton will miss the upcoming races at Dover and Indianapolis but are eligible to return for Iowa. NASCAR continues to prioritize safety enforcement without exception.
ALSO READ: TNT’s NASCAR Missteps Raise Questions About 7.7 Billion Dollar Deal
